Ileostomy pouch holder and skin protector



Dec. 22, 1953 H. J. SHULL ILEOSTOMY POUCH-HOLDER AND SKIN-PROTECTOR Filed July 28, 1952 INVENTOR. HARRtSON J. SHuH ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, 1953 ILEOSTOMY POUCH HOLDER AND SKIN PROTECTOR I 7 Harrison J. Shull, Nashville, Tenn., assignor to John B. Youmans, trustee for Vanderbilt Associates, Nashville, Tenn.

Application July 28, 1952, Serial No. 301,230

This invention relates generally to an ileostomy pouch-holder and skin-protector. Specifically it relates to an ileostomy-bud-surrounding relatively fiat shield which is adapted to hold an inexpensive disposable latex condom or similar bag as its pouch, and which more particularly has its center formed of a rubber diaphragm that .can be easily cut to accuratelyfit around thefbud" of the individual patient and thus protectively cover theskin surrounding the bud. While the disclosed illustrative embodiment of the invention is designed primarily for an ileostomy fistula, it is obvious that it could be used without alteration, or with simple changes in size or curvature, with many other types of fistulas, such as colostomy, ureterostomy, cholecystostomy, etc. Accordingly, the ,term ileostomy should be considered merely illustrative of the generic use inherent in the disclosed device. Ileostomy-bag-holders of the prior art have had some or all of the following faults: the pouches were difficult to change; the pouches were too expensive to discard and thus had to be saved,

emptied and cleaned; the holder and/or pouch produced an unsightly and embarrassing bulge; "the holders tended to slip out of place; and most objectionably the holders did not cover and protect the skin surrounding the bud from the irritating fecal chemicals. It is the purpose of this invention to provide an ileostomy pouchholder and skin-protector which has none of these faults.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a holder for ileostomy pouches which can be easily and accurately fitted to the ileostomy bud of a patient to thus protect the surrounding skin, and which will securely maintain its proper bud-surrounding position.

It is another object to provide such a pouch holder that is also relatively flat and unobtrusive.

It is a further object to provide such a holder that is inexpensive in initial cost and has the convenience and economy of using condoms or similar easily obtainable, removable and disposable pouches.

It is a still further object to provide an ileostomy-pouch holder that can be adhesively attached to the skin, making straps and belts unnecessary (but optionally usable).

These and other objects and advantages wil become apparent as the following detailed description proceeds.

In the drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which like 6 Claims. (Cl. 128-283) reference characters designate the sameparts thruout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of aholder and pouch in typical clinical use.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the holder in place over a bud.

Fig. 3 is an edge elevational view "from the right side ofl?ig.2. Y I I Fig. 4 is a plan view in section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 51s an enlarged detailed view of the left central portion of the showing of Fig. 4.

With reference now to the drawings, the letter A designates the abdominal wall of a patient having an ileostomy. -The lower end of the ileum I has been severed from the colon and has been fastened as a fistula in the abdominal wall so that its end protrudes slightly beyond the outer surface of the skin S to form an ileostomy bud B.

The numeral I designates a thin relatively stiff metallic disk. Disk I is formed of stainless steel or other stainand corrosion-resistant metal, but obviously could be formed of other materials, such as strong plastics, tough rubberl tempered glass, etc. or slots 3, diametrically opposite each other and conveniently formed in extending tabs 5. These slots 3 receive strap-metal hooks I mounted on the ends of an elastic belt 9, which may be used to hold, or help hold, the device pressed firmly against the abdomen of the wearer. The ends of elastic belt 9 pass through slots II in the hooks 1, and are doubled back and sewed (as shown) or otherwise made fast to said hooks I.

The disk I is provided with a circular central opening I3 of a diameter somewhat larger than any ileostomy-bud to be fitted thereby. Surrounding said opening," and formed integral with the disk I, or welded, brazed or otherwise attached thereto, is a shallow tubular collar I5, outwardly flanged at I! to form an annular channel into which the elastic band I9 of the condom or pouch 2| contracts to form a liquidtight and pouch-holding joint.

Across the inner surface of the disk I is laid a thin rubber disk 23, which is vulcanized or otherwise securely attached thereto. For wearer comfort it is preferable that rubber disk 23 extend slightly beyond the edge of disk I to form a slightly cushioned rim 25.

Initially the center of rubber disk 23 has only a, relatively small opening, or none at all. This is to permit an opening to be out, by the fitting physician, to the exact size and shape of the Disk I has two openingsileostomy-bud of the patient. This close fit prevents fecal chemicals from contacting the abdominal skin surrounding the bud. (Failure of prior-art devices to cover the adjacent skin has resulted in great discomfort and occasionally serious skin infections.)

The entire body-engaging face of the rubber disk 23 is coated at 21 with a latex cement, before applying, to effect both the anchorage and the seal. Petroleum jelly may be applied at the junction of the edge of the opening and the neck of the bud, for furtherprotecti'on of the bud and skin junction.

It should be noted that the :disks l and 23 are slightly convexed inwardly. This curvature produces an even pressure against the abdomen over the entire area of the device insures comfort and an efiective seal.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, by way of illustration, it is to be understood that many changes .can be made in the size, shape, arrangement and-com,- position of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention defined by the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. Apoucheholderrand skin-protector for ileostomies or the like, comprising: athin relatively rigid diskhaving a central openingtherein larger than normal ileostomy or like buds; a shallow collar surrounding said ,opening and firmly attached tosaid disk,:said collar having outwardly directed extensions to form an annular ,depression to receive and hold a beaded rim of an elastic pouch; and a diaphragm of soft yieldable material covering said opening whereby a budfitting opening may be out therein.

2. A device according to claim 1 and in which said disk is slightly convex inwardly whereby to produce a comfortably even body-pressure and an effective seal against leakage.

3. A device according to claim 1 and in which said collar and extensions thereon are of a size toreceive and hold a standard condom, whereby inexpensive and easily obtainable disposable pouches may be employed therewith.

4. A de vice according to claim 1 and in which said diaphragm is a rubber-like sheet covering substantially all of the inner surface of said disk and firmly attached thereto, said sheet being very adhesive to latex cement for producing a Y liquid-tight and slip-proof engagement with the No references cited. 

